Molly Tea Breaks Sales Records in U.S. Debut, Powered by Chowbus

Molly Tea Breaks Sales Records in U.S. Debut, Powered by Chowbus

As modern tea gains momentum in the U.S., Chowbus enables culturally rooted brands like Molly Tea to scale with confidence

CHICAGO - July 2025 - America's thirst for tea is evolving-and quickly. In a market long dominated by sugary boba and black coffee, a new generation of tea brands is redefining premium tea. At the forefront is Molly Tea, a modern tea chain from China whose record-breaking U.S. debut is drawing attention across the beverage industry.

With support from Chowbus, Molly Tea's first New York store generated a monthly average of $480,000 in revenue, clearing $570,000 in October of last year, far exceeding typical new-shop performance. Later that month, its San Francisco Bay Area location earned $28,000 on opening day and $82,000 in three days, setting a new benchmark for Chinese tea brands abroad.

"This is not just a trend-it's a cultural shift," said Bibby Lin, a Chowbus regional lead and spokesperson. "Molly Tea's growth shows American consumers are ready for a new kind of tea: less sugar, more craft, and a lot more identity."

A New Chapter in Tea Culture

Molly Tea is part of a wave of modern tea brands emphasizing premium ingredients, floral-forward flavors, and thoughtful design. Unlike traditional bubble tea shops, Molly Tea's drinks-such as jasmine milk, gardenia, and osmanthus teas-highlight steeped leaves and aromatics over tapioca pearls and sweetness.

With per-cup pricing between $6.39 and $7.80, Molly Tea offers affordable luxury for U.S. consumers who value flavor and wellness. Its stores reflect a clean, natural aesthetic and intentional packaging, creating a relaxed environment that resonates with diverse tea lovers.

"Modern tea is about transparency and trust," said Bibby. "It's not a novelty. It's a return to tea's roots-steeped, not shaken."

Why the U.S.?

While many Chinese F&B brands begin international expansion in Southeast Asia, Molly Tea chose the U.S. as a high-barrier, high-reward entry point. Founder Zhang Bocheng called it "a must-win market," citing the U.S.'s consumer diversity, spending power, and openness to global flavors.

That decision is proving wise. According to recent data, the North American tea market reached $1.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to surpass $2.2 billion within a decade. The U.S. ranks fourth globally in tea consumption, behind only China, India, and Japan.

As Americans shift from sugary sodas and high-calorie coffees to lighter, floral, and functional drinks, Molly Tea's curated offerings and local market research make it well-positioned for long-term success.

Chowbus: Infrastructure for Innovation

Molly Tea's record-setting launch was powered by Chowbus, a restaurant technology platform built for culturally rooted food businesses.

Chowbus equips independent operators with tools that simplify growth and preserve identity, including: Point-of-sale systems, Self-ordering kiosks, and Integrated ordering and delivery.

By handling operational complexity, Chowbus helps brands like Molly Tea focus on quality, consistency, and customer experience, even while scaling rapidly.

"Molly Tea didn't want to reinvent the wheel," said the Chowbus spokesperson. "They wanted a partner who understood their culture, could keep pace, and wouldn't ask them to compromise. That's what we do."

A Tea Brand with Staying Power

From sales records to long lines, Molly Tea is fast becoming the next breakout brand in U.S. beverages. Its balance of authenticity, aspiration, and execution offers a clear model for other Asian food brands eyeing the American market.

More importantly, its story reflects a broader shift-from fast and flashy to intentional and rooted.

"At a time when cultural exchange is often reduced to trends," said Chowbus, "Molly Tea reminds us there's real value in what's slow, steeped, and thoughtfully shared."

Media contact:
tony.uribe@chowbus.com
www.chowbus.com

224 S Michigan Ave,
Ste 400,

About Chowbus

Chowbus is a restaurant technology company helping culturally rooted restaurants grow their business, delight guests, and strengthen communities. With over 60% market share in Asian restaurant hubs nationwide, Chowbus offers a full suite of tools from modern POS systems and self-ordering kiosks to integrated online ordering, delivery, and marketing support-tech that's Built for Growth. Rooted in Culture.

This release was published on openPR.